To all our sweet readers, we hope that you have a wicked Holiday and enjoy the time off work. It's been a great year for us here at Adjoke - hundreds of posts, a ton of comments and suggestions and a growing base of readers who are always helpful in offering ideas for future posts.
Our hope in 2009 is to continue growing our readership, feature more Blogs from around the ad world and, of course, show you what's cool out there (and what really, really sucks).
From PJC and I, keep on reading and have a great Holiday.
(Oh, and if you want to get us anything, add us to your RSS feed in 2009 - and tell two friends to do the same!)
Tuesday
My Favorite Reads of 2008 [Another List]
In 2008, I made a resolution to read more. A lot more. 12 months, 30 novels and about 1,000 articles later, I feel more up to speed and interested (in everything) than I have before. Here is a short list of my favorites (warning: some are pretty random):
10. Click by Bill Tancer - interested in the world of Search? A must read (and a quick one) about how to use search data to influence your future decisions. Some cool stats and a great guide to understanding the digital world.
9. Whose Your City by Richard Florida - what's the most important decision you will ever have to make in your life? According to Florida, it's where you live. Want to understand the future of cities and how they directly impact your life? Check it out.
8. Tribes by Seth Godin - I like Godin. Like his blog and his stuff and this was a decent read (and if you have read anything before you can finish it in about 2 hours).
7. Hey Whipple, Squeeze This by Luke Sullivan - want to read the book that is mandatory for CP+B creatives? If you want to understand the creative mind, process and struggle (and laugh while doing it), pick it up.
6. The Looming Tower by Lawrence Wright - Not ad related but important. Wright interviews thousands of people to understand the history of Al Qaeda and puts together a game-changing story about how 9/11 came to be. Mind blowing and the winner of the Pulitzer Prize.
5. Groundswell by Charlene Li and Josh Bernoff - I had the pleasure of hearing Bernoff speak in Toronto a few months ago and although a lot of the examples in Groundswell are very well known, the book does a good job at classifying digital behaviour in order to help ground strategy. Plus, almost every client has read it (well...any client that thinks digital is important)
4. Super Crunchers by Ian Ayres - I truly believe that data will drive the majority of our decisions in the years to come. This novel is about using data to be more accurate in your predictions and decisions (and has some mind blowing examples).
3. The Futurist by James P. Othemer - I don't read a lot of fiction but when I was given this as a gift (thanks Crowe) and found out that Othemer is a copywriter I thought I'd give it a try. 3 days of obsessive reading later and I was finished (and super satisfied).
2. Hot, Flat and Crowded by Thomas Friedman - the future of the world (if we have one) is green. This is the definitive plan on how we get there.
1. Wired - I'm a huge fan of Wired (and just got a subscription...finally). I think I'm most excited when I find the issue on my desk or grab one from my local store. If you love digital, if you are passionate about the space and want to learn more, read this magazine every month. Cover to cover.
Read every article, even if it seems - at first - like it's a topic that doesn't interest you (who knew that I would love reading about genetic sequences?). I'm a firm believer that if you want to be good at digital, you should learn from the best. And the writers, staff and stories found in this publication are all at the top of their game.
What about you? What were your favorite reads of 2008?
10. Click by Bill Tancer - interested in the world of Search? A must read (and a quick one) about how to use search data to influence your future decisions. Some cool stats and a great guide to understanding the digital world.
9. Whose Your City by Richard Florida - what's the most important decision you will ever have to make in your life? According to Florida, it's where you live. Want to understand the future of cities and how they directly impact your life? Check it out.
8. Tribes by Seth Godin - I like Godin. Like his blog and his stuff and this was a decent read (and if you have read anything before you can finish it in about 2 hours).
7. Hey Whipple, Squeeze This by Luke Sullivan - want to read the book that is mandatory for CP+B creatives? If you want to understand the creative mind, process and struggle (and laugh while doing it), pick it up.
6. The Looming Tower by Lawrence Wright - Not ad related but important. Wright interviews thousands of people to understand the history of Al Qaeda and puts together a game-changing story about how 9/11 came to be. Mind blowing and the winner of the Pulitzer Prize.
5. Groundswell by Charlene Li and Josh Bernoff - I had the pleasure of hearing Bernoff speak in Toronto a few months ago and although a lot of the examples in Groundswell are very well known, the book does a good job at classifying digital behaviour in order to help ground strategy. Plus, almost every client has read it (well...any client that thinks digital is important)
4. Super Crunchers by Ian Ayres - I truly believe that data will drive the majority of our decisions in the years to come. This novel is about using data to be more accurate in your predictions and decisions (and has some mind blowing examples).
3. The Futurist by James P. Othemer - I don't read a lot of fiction but when I was given this as a gift (thanks Crowe) and found out that Othemer is a copywriter I thought I'd give it a try. 3 days of obsessive reading later and I was finished (and super satisfied).
2. Hot, Flat and Crowded by Thomas Friedman - the future of the world (if we have one) is green. This is the definitive plan on how we get there.
1. Wired - I'm a huge fan of Wired (and just got a subscription...finally). I think I'm most excited when I find the issue on my desk or grab one from my local store. If you love digital, if you are passionate about the space and want to learn more, read this magazine every month. Cover to cover.
Read every article, even if it seems - at first - like it's a topic that doesn't interest you (who knew that I would love reading about genetic sequences?). I'm a firm believer that if you want to be good at digital, you should learn from the best. And the writers, staff and stories found in this publication are all at the top of their game.
What about you? What were your favorite reads of 2008?
The Only Conference You Should go to in 2009
We all want (need) to learn more. About anything - especially why people buy, how brands influence them and - most importantly - how we can help our clients in the upcoming year.
But how do we have any time to learn extra? We spend all of it shipping ads, meeting delivery dates, pleading with creatives to make the logo bigger, sending clients status reports, booking meetings and managing our bosses. We don't have time to read about what's going on out there, who is doing what, what the latest creative is or the hottest social network. It's too busy. We already have enough to think about.
What's the most common way people think they can learn more? Go to a conference. Listen to some speakers and report back to the agency what happened.
The problem with conferences? They're frigging expensive. And they are a tough sell. Specifically if you've only been in the industry for a few years. Management doesn't want you taking time away from clients, they don't want to allocate budget against travel, delegate fee's, food, etc when you could be working. If you're lucky, you might find one in your city and be able to go but travel somewhere? Out of the question.
So what's the one thing you can do in 2009 to learn, get excited and transform your year?
Tell your agency to buy an associate membership to the 2009 TED conference (Feb 3-7). New this year, TED is opening up their conference to the world via a video cast. You can attend the conference in one of your own conference rooms with up to 10 other people from your agency. See the top speakers, understand what's new in the world and get inspired for the new year.
After the conference is over, TED will send you the box DVD set of every speech, their favorite books and CD's of the year and all information on future conferences.
How much will this cost you? $995.
This year, I'm doing it. For the last three years, I can't count the number of TED talks that have inspired me. Made me think about how things are changing or what I could be doing more of.
Don't go to AdTech. Don't go to some random "Social Networking" conference. Stay at your own agency and inspire people around you with a week of talks about the world. I know, I know it's not advertising specific. But it's life-specific and if you want to succeed in anything, it's well worth your time.
UPDATE: TED just released the 2009 speaker line-up. Some highlights? Well Bill Gates and Seth Godin will be presenting on the first day...among many others. Check them all out here.
Contagious Best of 2008
There are a lot of lists out there right now. Some good, some bad and others that you can pretty much ignore. Here's one I wouldn't.
Contagious Magazine has put together a great deck on the "Best of" work of 2008. The deck showcases the best technology, campaigns, websites, innovations and people of the year. If you want to stay ahead of the curve and learn something new from around the world, take a moment and read through it over the break.
More posts are on their way...just finishing up the 'real' work before the holiday begins.
Check it out right here.
Contagious Magazine has put together a great deck on the "Best of" work of 2008. The deck showcases the best technology, campaigns, websites, innovations and people of the year. If you want to stay ahead of the curve and learn something new from around the world, take a moment and read through it over the break.
More posts are on their way...just finishing up the 'real' work before the holiday begins.
Check it out right here.
Thursday
Mini Cooper AR Ad. Best Print Ad of 2008.
This is the coolest print ad of 2008. If you disagree I will fight you.MINI has used augmented reality (AR) technology to create a truly interactive media piece out of a 2-dimensional magazine ad.
Using AR tracking technology, as you hold the ad up to your computer’s webcam, you’ll see a 3-D model of a MINI Cabrio convertible that moves as you turn the sheet of paper around. SWEET SHIT.
[not me in the pic]All you need is a copy of the ad, a webcam, and a web browser (sorry, Internet Explorer/ActiveX only) to view the 3-D AR effect.
The ad appeared recently in three German automotive magazines: Auto, Motor und Sport, Werben & Verkaufen and Autobilde.
Interested to see how it works?
Print out a PDF of the ad and head on over to the MINI augmented reality web site to have a look. Trust me it is really cool.
The race to be #2 is on......
via MediaPost via ARTweets]Via technabob
Facebook Connect: Implications
Found a great presentation from Razorfish about the future of portable social graphs and the data use implications for brand sites. Facebook Connect is starting to become more common across sites in the web and I think that the applications of it could be fascinating. Don't know what I'm talking about?
Check out the presentation here:
Check out the presentation here:
Wednesday
Fear causes conservative thinking
An interesting presentation about inspiring play, to inspire ideas.
Does your company inspire play? If so how? Does it help with idea creation? Or do you find your ideas become the best when you hide away from each other and return with your thoughts?
Tuesday
Digital is the aim
From the London Telegraph...
It is the aim of Publicis to make 25pc of revenue from online advertising by 2010. The group has also been working secretly with Google on advertising strategy, with a an update due in January.
"It has to do with better targeted advertising, making it more sophisticated," he says. "We will advertise to people through their habits. Analytics and targeting online will be key in the future." There was scepticism when the Google deal was first announced, as observers saw Publicis sleeping with the enemy that threatens traditional revenues.
I am interested to see what the "update due in January" is? What do you think the update will be. Will Publicis be offering clients access to Google Ad Labs, or Media Labs products? Or will reduced fees be offered for testing and case studies?
AKQA Happy Holiday's
Some agencies spend a lot of time creating Holiday greetings that can't be ignored. What I like about this one is that it's a simple video, cool idea and great execution. Found on Adverblog, I'm sure this is going to be one of many Agency Holiday "ideas" over the next couple of weeks.
Why would an agency spend time, money and resources against something like this? It doesn't have anything tied to it. It's not for a client. And it's using creative time when they could be focused on something else.
That being said, it says something when you can create a video that goes viral just for the sake of spreading some Holiday cheer. And I'm sure the long-term return of this for the agency will have massive (revenue) benefits.
Why would an agency spend time, money and resources against something like this? It doesn't have anything tied to it. It's not for a client. And it's using creative time when they could be focused on something else.
That being said, it says something when you can create a video that goes viral just for the sake of spreading some Holiday cheer. And I'm sure the long-term return of this for the agency will have massive (revenue) benefits.
Monday
Time Magazines favourite TV ads of 2008
#1
I forgot that I wanted to post this spot. Recently voted Time Magazines favourite TV ad of 2008. Well done Publicis Seattle.
#2 FedEx - Horror
#3 Nike - Fate
#4 Microsoft - Im a PC
#5 AT&T - Scorsese
#6 Old Spice - TV Doctor
#7 Visa - Dead last
#8 Obama - Infomercial
#9 Gutar Hero - Dream Band
#10 You will only know if you click
Are you as surprised as me with a few selections. Time seems to have a hard-on for celebrities in TV spots.
AdJoke will be sharing plenty of our own "The best and worst of 2008" lists between now and New Years.
I forgot that I wanted to post this spot. Recently voted Time Magazines favourite TV ad of 2008. Well done Publicis Seattle.
#2 FedEx - Horror
#3 Nike - Fate
#4 Microsoft - Im a PC
#5 AT&T - Scorsese
#6 Old Spice - TV Doctor
#7 Visa - Dead last
#8 Obama - Infomercial
#9 Gutar Hero - Dream Band
#10 You will only know if you click
Are you as surprised as me with a few selections. Time seems to have a hard-on for celebrities in TV spots.
AdJoke will be sharing plenty of our own "The best and worst of 2008" lists between now and New Years.
"WE WANT VIRAL!" screams Pizza Hut
Another client screams for viral video and guess what, agencies happily oblidge. This new video from Pizza Hut did get 100,000 views in just over a weekend, however I've got to say that the positioning doesn't really work for me:
"Pizza Hut is so good we want to throw it in the face of small town Pizza shops all around the US. Who cares about the recession! Go corporate or die!"
"Pizza Hut is so good we want to throw it in the face of small town Pizza shops all around the US. Who cares about the recession! Go corporate or die!"
Wouldn't this execution have been way better if the guy went into a Papa John's or Domino's? I mean, why the hell would you have gone into a mom and pop shop to have done something like this?
I don't know about you, but I bet the original concept was about 100x stronger than the execution.
Sunday
Friday
Zuji Helps You Save...
I love when advertising goes beyond basic messages. The new travel site, Zuji, gives people ways to travel cheaply and take (much needed) holiday's. Rather than create an easily ignored campaign that focus on them being "the greatest resource in travel" or "the cheapest way to get away" propositions, they did something different.
They made beans.
Thousands of cans of beans.
And they sold them. For ten cents a can.
Zuji understood that people need to save money in order to even consider going on a vacation. You don't start searching without the financial comfort of knowing that you're actually going to be able to afford to go somewhere in the first place.
Zuji wanted to help people save money for their trips. So they created a common item cheaper than the rest and sold it in their stores.
This video has less than 2,500 views but I hope that it catches on (especially in our idea-driven industry). This isn't the first time we've seen a brand create a new product to help their overall perceptions, but it's a great example of thinking different and developing work that can't be missed.
Thanks to Adverblog for the link.
They made beans.
Thousands of cans of beans.
And they sold them. For ten cents a can.
Zuji understood that people need to save money in order to even consider going on a vacation. You don't start searching without the financial comfort of knowing that you're actually going to be able to afford to go somewhere in the first place.
Zuji wanted to help people save money for their trips. So they created a common item cheaper than the rest and sold it in their stores.
This video has less than 2,500 views but I hope that it catches on (especially in our idea-driven industry). This isn't the first time we've seen a brand create a new product to help their overall perceptions, but it's a great example of thinking different and developing work that can't be missed.
Thanks to Adverblog for the link.
Thursday
RBC goes cartoons, TD Bankorth goes....Puppets?
RBC worldwide has launched spots filled with globetrotting cartoon Dad's, Bowler hat bankers and more.
Not to be outdown by RBC, TD Banknorth has gone to paper-clipping puppets of Regis & Kelly, like the kind I made in Grade 4 to announce the merger of TD and Commerce.
Don't use cartoons or puppets to talk to me about my finances. My savings and investments are real and matter to me.
Then the puppets magically morphed into the real Regis & Kelly. Oh but wait, it is a campaign because they both include therapists.
Find more videos like this on AdGabber
Before everyone jumps on me and says "What about the Blue Water project spot from RBC", I will say yes I like it. Its great, but the execution makes sense for the message.
Not to be outdown by RBC, TD Banknorth has gone to paper-clipping puppets of Regis & Kelly, like the kind I made in Grade 4 to announce the merger of TD and Commerce.
Don't use cartoons or puppets to talk to me about my finances. My savings and investments are real and matter to me.
Then the puppets magically morphed into the real Regis & Kelly. Oh but wait, it is a campaign because they both include therapists.
Find more videos like this on AdGabber
Before everyone jumps on me and says "What about the Blue Water project spot from RBC", I will say yes I like it. Its great, but the execution makes sense for the message.
Google Canada - What Do We Search?
A collegue of mine (who is a Doctor...not like a real one but a P.H.D) sent me this article about Google Searches in Canada. For the past few years, Google has released its Zeitgeist report (German for "Spirit of the Times") to help show current web trends and provide insights into what people are searching.
This is the first time they've included Canada and it's interesting to see what Canadians have been searching for the past year. The top search? "Facebook". At number 2 and 3 are "YouTube" and "Lyrics" respectively.
The article also provide a list of the most searched political parties in Canada (Green Party, Liberal, Conservative, NDP then Bloc) and the top celeberities (Britney Spears, Jessica Alba and Heath Ledger coming in the top spots).
Search is a critical component to developing effective communications plans and I think many marketers simply think of it as an afterthought. ("Great, now that we've got the TV spots nailed, let's buy some search words!") Some of the best books I've read this year (Click and Super Crunchers) are solely about using data (and search data) to create campaigns that resonate and stick.
Tools like Google Trends for Search are immensly helpful in understanding seasonal trends in search as well as understading how your target searching for something. There are fantastic, free tools out there that people just don't use when planning campaigns or thinking about their target.
This is the first time they've included Canada and it's interesting to see what Canadians have been searching for the past year. The top search? "Facebook". At number 2 and 3 are "YouTube" and "Lyrics" respectively.
The article also provide a list of the most searched political parties in Canada (Green Party, Liberal, Conservative, NDP then Bloc) and the top celeberities (Britney Spears, Jessica Alba and Heath Ledger coming in the top spots).
Search is a critical component to developing effective communications plans and I think many marketers simply think of it as an afterthought. ("Great, now that we've got the TV spots nailed, let's buy some search words!") Some of the best books I've read this year (Click and Super Crunchers) are solely about using data (and search data) to create campaigns that resonate and stick.
Tools like Google Trends for Search are immensly helpful in understanding seasonal trends in search as well as understading how your target searching for something. There are fantastic, free tools out there that people just don't use when planning campaigns or thinking about their target.
Wednesday
Think Your Going to get Fired?
No matter what industry you're in, you can't avoid the fact that the global economy is in a recession. You also can't help but imagine what 2009 is going to be like, what your clients are going to want (need) you to do, and - most importantly - if you'll have a job in twelve months.
Mashable's as put together a great top 10 list of things to do to help increase your personal brand in the workplace. One of my favorites:
"It’s really easy to brand yourself an innocent observer. The problem is that consumers aren’t sharing any value with the world, while producers are building value in themselves and getting their ideas noticed. Try and start a podcast series or write a blog about what you love. Something you’re really passionate about, whether it be work or play. People will begin to notice and be drawn to your brand. Being a producer is much more rewarding, and it causes your network to flourish, thus positioning your brand for career success."
Mashable's as put together a great top 10 list of things to do to help increase your personal brand in the workplace. One of my favorites:
"It’s really easy to brand yourself an innocent observer. The problem is that consumers aren’t sharing any value with the world, while producers are building value in themselves and getting their ideas noticed. Try and start a podcast series or write a blog about what you love. Something you’re really passionate about, whether it be work or play. People will begin to notice and be drawn to your brand. Being a producer is much more rewarding, and it causes your network to flourish, thus positioning your brand for career success."
Tuesday
The Agency Life
We had some good news today - won a major pitch that a lot of the agency has been working on over the past 4 months. It was tough, challenging, inspiring and worth it. And not necessarily because we won.
It's funny how pitches work. The thrill of working with a team for nights on end, building work that is free from restrictions and daily client feedback. Doing what you think is best and presenting it with confidence.
Then you wait. And wait. And hope.
Sometimes things work out. Other times, you just wonder what the other agency did that was so much better - especially when you thought you did everything that was possible.
Northern Planner wrote a great post about why losing feels so much worse than winning. I agree. To those pitching right now, good luck. To those that just got some bad news, here's to figuring out what to alter in the future.
It's funny how pitches work. The thrill of working with a team for nights on end, building work that is free from restrictions and daily client feedback. Doing what you think is best and presenting it with confidence.
Then you wait. And wait. And hope.
Sometimes things work out. Other times, you just wonder what the other agency did that was so much better - especially when you thought you did everything that was possible.
Northern Planner wrote a great post about why losing feels so much worse than winning. I agree. To those pitching right now, good luck. To those that just got some bad news, here's to figuring out what to alter in the future.
More on Obama and Technology
Forbes.com has posted an article in which they asked some "silicon valley thinkers" (whatever in the hell that means) what they learned from Obama's campaign. Not groundbreaking answers but worth a read.I am excited to see what the worlds largest communication budget does now that technology and social media turns it on.
The very presidential looking Change.gov is a great start, but will it continue?
Monday
Go Miniman Go!
Even though this site launched in August, it's sweet - especially for Lego nerds. Not only can you create your own Miniman, you can watch a ton of cool stop-motion Lego video's created by passionate lego people around the world.
I'm not sure about the metrics on this website, but it's simple to use and great for someone whose a lego nerd. Not that I was ever a lego nerd and loved going to Legoland...
Sunday
Christmas = books. Need your help.
I celebrate Christmas, and every year my Christmas list usually contains a half dozen or so books.
This year my list has:
Or if you are one of the authors send me a copy and I would be happy to post a review ;)
This year my list has:
- The Outliers - Malcolm Gladwell
- Grown Up Digital - Don Tapscott
- Crowdsourcing - Jeff Howe
- The Cool Factor - Del Breckenfeld
- Brand Digital - Allen P. Adamson
Or if you are one of the authors send me a copy and I would be happy to post a review ;)
Better Than Free - Your Guide to the Future
Remember Kevin Kelly? We posted about his fabulous TED talk a few months ago and I've been obsessed with his blog ever since. Kevin is a futurist | web expert | blogger | idea man and one of the smartest people out there when it comes to thinking about what's next.
He's written a short piece called Better Than Free and I urge anyone who works in digital or is interested in the space to download it (free) and read it.
Essentially, it describes what it's like to work in a world of free content and goes into 8 ways that groups will make money in the years to come off of it. The internet, he writes, is one giant copy machine. Anything that's posted on the web can be taken, copied and passed on with little consequence.
As a result, we've got to find new ways to add value and create desire for users to pay for specific things. I won't get too deep in the hopes that you read the article but if you want to say anything smart for the next year, I'd take five minutes out of your day.
He's written a short piece called Better Than Free and I urge anyone who works in digital or is interested in the space to download it (free) and read it.
Essentially, it describes what it's like to work in a world of free content and goes into 8 ways that groups will make money in the years to come off of it. The internet, he writes, is one giant copy machine. Anything that's posted on the web can be taken, copied and passed on with little consequence.
As a result, we've got to find new ways to add value and create desire for users to pay for specific things. I won't get too deep in the hopes that you read the article but if you want to say anything smart for the next year, I'd take five minutes out of your day.
Don't give presents. Give Experiences.
Check out this commercial for Red Balloon Experiences.
I just browsed through the site and it is full of some pretty amazing experiences. If you have been considering starting a bucket list, click here for ideas.
I just browsed through the site and it is full of some pretty amazing experiences. If you have been considering starting a bucket list, click here for ideas.
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